2 Corinthians 1:23-2:4
English Standard Version
23 But (A)I call God to witness against me—it was (B)to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth. 24 Not that we (C)lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm (D)in your faith.
2 For I made up my mind (E)not to make another painful visit to you. 2 For (F)if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? 3 And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, (G)for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. 4 For (H)I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.
2 Corinthians 1:23-2:4
International Standard Version
23 I call upon God as a witness on my behalf that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth. 24 It is not that we are trying to rule over your faith, but rather to work with you for your joy, because you have been standing firm in the faith.
Paul’s Painful Visit
2 Now[a] I decided not to pay you another painful visit. 2 After all, if I were to grieve you, who should make me happy but the person I am making sad? 3 This is the very reason I wrote you, so that when I did come I might not be made sad by those who should have made me happy. For I had confidence that all of you would share the joy that I have. 4 I wrote to you out of great sorrow and anguish of heart—along with many tears—not to make you sad but to let you know how much love I have for you.
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 2:1 Other mss. read For
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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